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iCatCare announces new CEO
Pictured: Nicola Martin, new CEO of International Cat Care.

Veterinary surgeon Nicola Martin will be taking over the role. 

Cat welfare organisation International Cat Care (iCatCare) has announced its new CEO, Nicola Martin.

She will be taking over the role from Claire Bessant, who has been the organisation’s CEO for 28 years. 

Commenting on her new role, Nicola said: “I am thrilled to be appointed CEO of International Cat Care and look forward to working with the trustees, the passionate team and diverse and expert stakeholders to continue to improve the lives of cats worldwide.

“The charity has been close to my heart throughout my veterinary career and the opportunity to lead the next phase of its development is extremely exciting.”

Nicola, a veterinary surgeon who has a vast amount of experience working with charities, is currently chief executive of Canine Partners, and is Chair of Trustees of Assistance Dogs UK. 

As a previous trustee of Animal Welfare Foundation, and head of Pet Health and Welfare at the PDSA, Nicola has helped to develop each organisation she has been involved with, including designing the PDSA’s annual PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report. 

Nicola added: “Over the last 28 years, Claire and the team have worked tirelessly with all those who share International Cat Care’s vision and have made significant strides forward in so many areas of feline welfare.

“So much has been achieved for cats, but there is still so much to be done and I look forward to taking on the baton and finding new and innovative ways to work with others to make a real difference to the mental and physical wellbeing of cats worldwide.”

 

Image (C) iCatCare

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.